Birding has been picking up at Presqu’ile Provincial Park this week, as the bay fills up with waterfowl, including two species that were unexpected.
A single TRUMPETER SWAN has been in Presqu’ile Bay fairly consistently. One or two CANVASBACKS have also been there since Sunday, generally among the hundreds of REDHEADS. A LESSER SCAUP was there on Sunday. Well over a dozen WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS can be seen near Salt Point on most days. A male BLACK SCOTER, rare in winter at Presqu’ile, was seen from the government dock yesterday. Equally rare was a RUDDY DUCK in the same area on January 10 and 12. Both of those birds are likely still there but difficult to pick out from among the other waterfowl, especially when they are under water! Single BALD EAGLES were seen on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Just outside the Park near the south end of Ontario Street in Brighton, a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was seen three times in the past week. A GLAUCOUS GULL was off the government dock on Sunday. A GREAT HORNED OWL was calling in ``the fingers`` on Tuesday evening. SNOWY OWLS have been on the ice of Presquìle Bay on most days. On Friday there were two, and a third individual was flying overhead. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are reliable at 83 and 186 Bayshore Road. On Friday, two observers saw two PILEATED WOODPECKERS and a probable third one. A COMMON RAVEN in ``the fingers`` was flying around and calling. There are still AMERICAN ROBINS and CEDAR WAXWINGS at the calf pasture, including a count of 100 of the latter. The wintering SONG SPARROW at 186 Bayshore Road and the WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and COMMON GRACKLE at and near to 83 Bayshore Road are being seen regularly. To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid that is available at the Park gate. Visitors to Gull Island should exercise extreme caution. The entire approach to the island is covered with glare ice, and footing is dangerous. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightings board provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ile Park and to fill out a rare bird report for species not listed there. Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be directed to: [email protected]. Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 613-475-5309 If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
